Dean's 4th Birthday Mustache Bash

A big party for Dean was way overdue. We celebrated his 4th birthday last weekend by hosting a mustache-themed party where everyone, including adults, were required to don a stache. I had a Hulk Hogan lookalike, but it quickly lost it's stick every time I took a sip of my drink. It was a big turnout and luckily a beautiful 70 degree day. We were thankful the share the event with old and new friends. Singer/songwriter Mr. Will performed for a while, and there was also a balloon artist that was a big hit. I think we exceeded the maximum limit on the trampoline, but luckily everyone survived. Since the kids are on an elimination diet right now, there was no cake to be had so I made gluten-free rice krispy treats. Dean was a very happy boy - he had a great time and got lots of goodies. Thanks to everyone who came!

 

Halloween/Fall Fest/Dia de los Muertos Extravaganza Weekend

Whew, it's been a whirlwind of a weekend starting with Halloween morning. Dean and Morgan both wore costumes to school: Dean a chicken and Morgan as his favorite book character (per school request), Tacky the penguin. They made some very cute birds I must say.

At the end of Morgan's school day, all classes gathered on the field to parade in their costumes.

We also paid a visit to our neighbors chickens, because, well, why not when you are dressed like a chicken?

Then that evening, we went to Stacey Park for the annual Halloween potluck & costume parade around the tennis courts (where rubber kitchen gloves proved hard to walk in for Dean). Morgan changed it up and was a ninja for the second half of they day. Afterwards, we came back home and trick-or-treated at a couple of houses, but mostly hung out with neighbors in the driveway, drinking wine and handing out candy. The boys liked checking out all the costumes and taking turns offering the candy bowl.

The very next day, it was back to back school functions -- Becker Elementary's Fall Fest and Academia Preescolar's Dia de los Muertos party. It was a beautiful fall day and the kids had fun dunking teachers in the dunk tank, winning prizes for throwing hoola hoops on pumpkins and jumping in the bouncy house. There was even a rock climbing wall that Morgan decided he wanted to try (first time ever). He got halfway up the 30 ft wall, but had a good time, especially on the way down : )

After coming home for a quick dinner, we headed to Dean's school's party, which was at the home of the owners. They had an awesome backyard with a trampoline, fire pit, animal stables and, new this year, a zip line. Once again, Morgan decided to give something new a try, first going on Dad's lap, (video here) then mine. The second he reached the other side, he wanted to go again, this time by himself. He did awesome, but wasn't heavy enough to get all the way to the other end, so we had to push him with a stick. Nevertheless, he loved it and his willingness to try new things and be brave was fun to watch.

parade at school